Water Chestnuts and Awareness
Nut of the week: Water Chestnuts
Water Chestnuts are classified as a high-volume food because they are 74% water. They may help you lose weight by effectively keeping you feeling fuller for a longer period of time.
Water is a simple substance. It's practically colorless, odorless, tasteless, and transparent. However, the way we perceive it can differ drastically based on your point of view. For water chestnuts growing in the paddy fields of Asia, it is their life source. They derive the necessary nutrients for growth in the water that they are submerged in constantly. For humans, it is vital for our well-being to drink an ample amount of water daily, but we also use it many other purposes. We use it in manufacturing, agriculture, hygiene, and for recreation. Without water, humans would cease to exist. We take it for granted that when ever we turn on a faucet, clean water will flow through it instantaneously. We rarely take the time to think about how fortunate we really are. The root of this problem is our "self-centeredness".
We are all programmed to think for ourselves from birth. It is a natural instinct. In the words of David Foster Wallace, "Everything in my own immediate experience supports my deep belief that I am the absolute center of the universe". Having this outlook on life is not always detrimental. However, if you choose not to take the time to consider how your actions may affect the livelihood of others, you will find yourself down a dark road of selfishness and greed. We are all submerged in a pool of water like a water chestnut. A transparent pool of water that hides its complexity in plain sight. Only those who are aware of there thoughts can traverse the waves and float to the top.
Water Chestnuts are classified as a high-volume food because they are 74% water. They may help you lose weight by effectively keeping you feeling fuller for a longer period of time.
Water is a simple substance. It's practically colorless, odorless, tasteless, and transparent. However, the way we perceive it can differ drastically based on your point of view. For water chestnuts growing in the paddy fields of Asia, it is their life source. They derive the necessary nutrients for growth in the water that they are submerged in constantly. For humans, it is vital for our well-being to drink an ample amount of water daily, but we also use it many other purposes. We use it in manufacturing, agriculture, hygiene, and for recreation. Without water, humans would cease to exist. We take it for granted that when ever we turn on a faucet, clean water will flow through it instantaneously. We rarely take the time to think about how fortunate we really are. The root of this problem is our "self-centeredness".
We are all programmed to think for ourselves from birth. It is a natural instinct. In the words of David Foster Wallace, "Everything in my own immediate experience supports my deep belief that I am the absolute center of the universe". Having this outlook on life is not always detrimental. However, if you choose not to take the time to consider how your actions may affect the livelihood of others, you will find yourself down a dark road of selfishness and greed. We are all submerged in a pool of water like a water chestnut. A transparent pool of water that hides its complexity in plain sight. Only those who are aware of there thoughts can traverse the waves and float to the top.
I agree with your metaphor that we are all a water chestnut surrounded by water. I feel it accurately describes our nature as high school students trying to figure things out. I also like how you started out with the water chestnut and finished with it like what Wallace did with the fish.
ReplyDeleteVery nice connections between people and water chestnuts. Although I'm not sure I understand how water chestnuts are selfish and self-centered. I've always thought of myself as more of a walnut since I'm hard headed.
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